Manhunt continues for 2 Geneva men

One day into a large manhunt in Phelps, Ontario County, authorities have apprehended two Ontario County men and have widened the search area as they search for two more.

Alexander Rodriguez, 26, and Jose Gomez-Santiago, 19, both of Geneva, were each charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the incident, which started about 3 p.m. Sunday in Geneva. The felony charge stems from the pair handling a loaded firearm following a chase and manhunt that spanned at least two Ontario County communities.

Lt. Eric R. Heieck, of the Geneva Police Department, said that Andres Escalera, 22, and Jonathan O. Rivera, 25, both of Geneva are the two men who are wanted for questioning.

Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero said the men still at largeare considered "potentially armed and dangerous."

Police searched for the pair in a wooded area off Hayes Road in Phelps, the site of an overgrown former quarry with uneven and dense terrain, Povero said.

It's literally "like looking for a needle in a haystack," he said. Officers are also attempting to pinpoint the location of at least one of the suspect's cellular phones.

Authorities said Escalera and Rivera may have left the area. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Geneva Police Department at (315) 789-1111 or the Ontario County Sheriff's Office at (800) 394-4560.

The incident started in Geneva, when officers were called to East North Street, near Clark Street, after receiving several calls of shots being fired in the area, said Geneva Police Chief Jeffrey Trickler.

Officers attempted to stop a black pickup believed to be involved in the shooting, and the driver took off, said Heieck. A pursuit followed, north on Route 14 to Route 96 until the pickup lost control on Route 96, near Hayes Road, in Phelps.

The driver, Rodriguez, was armed with a handgun, got out of the pickup and allegedly pointed a loaded gun at police, Heieck said. Several other passengers exited the pickup and ran off.

A Geneva police officer shot Rodriguez in the arm. No one else fired a gun, Trickler said. Rodriguez was treated for a minor injury at Strong Memorial Hospital and was discharged. He is being held in the Ontario County Jail.

Officers also recovered pistols found "in and around" the pickup, Trickler said.

A second man, Gomez-Santiago, was also apprehended during the course of the manhunt, also near Routes 96 and 14 in Phelps. As of 2 p.m. Monday, police continue to search for two more men.

Trickler said Geneva police are familiar with "some of the suspects."

Rodriguez and Gomez-Santiago both pleaded not guilty in Canandaigua City Court and were remanded to the Ontario County Jail, Povero said. They are each being held in lieu of $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond.

Both men are scheduled to appear in Phelps Town Court Wednesday.

Geneva police officers, Ontario County sheriff's deputies, New York State Police and Seneca County sheriff's deputies are searching for the other involved men.

A reverse 911 call was made Sunday by Ontario County to residents of Phelps cautioning them to stay inside their homes and report any unusual activity. Heieck said that the restriction on residents has been lifted. Emergency dispatchers Monday morning said no road closures remain as a result of the incident.